Dr Jess Blaise Ward

Jess Blaise Ward is a synth artist, producer and performer with interests in music of the 1980s and 1990s. She has a strong-messages-only approach to songwriting, having penned her feminist anthem ‘Queens’ (2021), and a year before this her empowering synth single ‘Superhuman’ (2020). Her more recent singles, ‘Resistance Song’ (2024), and ‘Ragequit’ (2023) are darker, moodier and grittier – yet danceable – and all possess JBW’s usual hallmarks of pulsating synthesizers, arresting harmonies and thunderous drums. Jess’ singles are co-produced by her before having final mixes produced by Jan Hajsen, owner and producer of Slovenian-based Studio TPD, a mastering and recording studio.

JBW’s collaboration projects include works in the pop, metal and dance styles, such as synthwave hit ‘Fluorescent Light’ (2022) written with The Ocean Beneath. She has co-written 4 albums with former punk artist Bishmanrock, and regularly ghostwrites for Manchester metal band 40,000 Leagues.

Jess is currently a synth player and vocalist for 80s pop band The State of Georgia, and she is also the author of book: ‘Making Synthwave: How an online music community invented a genre’ (2025).